Chandler Hardy maneuvers through the Wash Family Construction defense during Spirit Week soccer exhibition games at the Center. Island Photo: Kevin Cassidy.

After practicing against each other for a few weeks, soccer teams got a chance to see where they stand in their preparations for the season. Coaches surely had questions answered about trying players in one position and another and perhaps received performances from players they didn’t expect.

Fans and supporters at the two games I attended during what was promoted at Spirit Week, a call for outrageous fan support, failed to bring on an “A” game like last year when team colors were everywhere.

But fans from Jessie’s Island Store surely captured the Spirit Week prize of end-of-season ice cream treats as the only fans dressed to the nines in team colors.

And some teams managed to distinguish themselves as favorites heading into the regular season. Ross Built easily won both of its games in Division I, while Panoramic looked good in Division II with a pair of shutout victories. Harcon won both of their Premier Division games, but one was a nail-biter, so they appear to have some competition for league supremacy.
The season gets started for real this week. Take in a game or three and some refreshments at the Center, and look for the schedule and weekly results in The Islander.

More soccer

Coastal Orthopedic, a U9 (under age 9) indoor soccer team featured this summer in The Islander, has now captured the Big Kick Indoor Soccer league title. The Ortho kids, including some Islanders and siblings of some former Island soccer standouts, defeated Big Kick 9 by a 5-1 score in the championship game Sept. 19.

Manioly Issac led the way with two goals, while Shelby Morrow, Carter Remelin and Melissa Katzenberger each notched single goals. Brennan Bowers, Sam Bieker, Lane Bowers, James Richards, Conal Cassidy and Robbie Fellowes all played strong games in front of Coastal goalie Joe Joe Rodgers. Coastal Orthopedic finished the season with an impressive 18-1-3 record.

Horseshoe news

Sam Samuels and Steve Grossman outlasted Norm Good and John Johnson to earn the day’s bragging rights during horseshoe action on Sept. 19 at the Anna Maria City Hall pits.

The Sept. 16 games saw Samuels and Good take first place over the team of John Johnson and Jay Disbrow.
Play gets under way at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warm ups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.